The Romantic Appeal of the Vintage-Inspired VALENCIA pattern

photos: copyright Lifetime Brands

A SPRING FLING with flower-patterned Cadence tableware

Have a SPRING FLING with a fabulously fun, flower-patterned table.

This mix-and-match pattern inspired pulling in other, complimentary patterns. Here an aqua trellis fabric was custom made into a placemat, and a miniature metal 

garden bench becomes a whimsical place card holder. The reversible aqua polka-dot napkin  has a pretty fold and is tied at the top with a stitch-edged ribbon and faux silk roses. 

Detail of the charming wrought iron garden bench which I'm using here as a place card holder. 

Using miniatures is a signature styling thing of mine. 

The same trellis-patterned fabric was used here as a tablecloth. The accent dish is trellis patterned, resting atop of a teal dinner plate.  Here, the place card holder is an aged" wheel barrel and the napkin is accented with a miniature flower pot of pink geraniums. 

Photos copyright: Lifetime Brands and (Bottom) Monica Forrestall

Shine On! With Trendy Metallic-look Tableware

Good as Gold!

Fashion details, such as grommet embellished napkins, a DIY "riveted" gold-painted placemat and a hand-hammered cuff-like napkin ring gives a punch of high fashion to your table setting.

A textured vase, such as basket-weave patterned Palazzo Vase, is the ideal vessel 

for a creative arrangement of exotic, unusual plant stems.

copyright photography: Lifetime Brands

Love the Classics!

CLASSIC STYLE December 2013 issue focused on the WESTON pattern, a modern version of a Greek Key pattern mixed with chain patterns. I wanted to make a library reference, but in a more conceptual, modern way. I loved this image of an open book, with other books on shelves behind it, and used it as our background. I luckily had been in contact with Chef Maria Loi, a Greek Culinary authority and cookbook author. She offered a healthy--yet so delicious---baklava dessert. And made a tray of it for our photoshoot, so we would have her version to shoot in Boston.
http://www.ClassicStylewestonstoryonmikasa.com/

DIY Parchment paper placemat. 

DIY Easy to make, hardware chain-link napkin rings. 

http://www.mikasa.com/brand-comfortablyclassic.html

photos copyright Lifetime Brands

You'll Always Have Paris...with romantic lace-patterned tableware.

A trip to Paris! Even if it's only in your mind, it's pure bliss setting a table with Mikasa's Vintage Lace pattern. This issue was wonderfully fun to produce. My concept was create a memory box of a romantic trip. And what's more romantic than Paris? I wanted to channel Chanel so I had the black quilted-fabric hat box made for the shoot.  I designed the cover to be lined in bright pink satin with touch of black lace ribbon to cover the seams. I created the poodle-decal napkin ring out of a decal I found at the always amazing Tinsel Trading Company in New York City. 

To achieve an authentic Parisienne look to your table, use an eclectic mix of vintage finds (these amazing plastic "lace" place mats layered over black quilted placemat. Vintage Lace patterned dinner and salad plates look oh so elegant. Whimsical punch of color comes in with the DIY napkin ring of French poodle glued onto a pink-and-black striped ribbon. 

For the wedding cake for this story, I wanted to design something that made a reference to the classic Channel quilt pattern. Tying it up with a sweet ribbon and bow, and topping it with a miniature Eiffel Tower was just enough of a Paris touch.

Memorably French champagne & kisses.

                       copyright photo: Lifetime Brands.